Marble's champion
Sir: The fears over the future of Kenwood voiced by correspondents and Mr Isaaman (Letters, 11 June) chime significantly with our own concerning another English Herit- age property — Marble Hill House and Park, Twickenham.
Marble Hill, set in idyllic surroundings on the Thames, was built for Henrietta Howard, the Countess of Suffolk, mistress of George II. In the 18th century it was the centre of the artistic and literary Twick- enham set: Gay, Swift, Pope, Walpole and Kneller.
At the end of the 19th century, it was threatened by development and saved by the old London County Council in 1902. Thereafter Marble Hill and the view from Richmond Hill were protected by an Act of Parliament. On the demise of the GLC, which body had taken over Marble Hill from the old LCC, it was vested by Act of Parliament in English Heritage. This, we felt, assured the future of Marble Hill and we were delighted when Lord Montagu issued a statement guaranteeing continued public access to the House and the con- tinuation of all the sporting activities in the Park, including the adventure playground and the One o'clock Club.
But before English Heritage even took over Marble Hill, they tried to abdicate responsibility and hand over the Park to Richmond Council. This they were pre- vented from doing by the Department of the Environment. Since then, there has been growing concern over Heritage's plans for Marble Hill and their total failure to consult with conservation groups or listen to local opinion.
The final irony is that Heritage, while fighting attempts by developers to build a pier at Westminster on the grounds that it would 'spoil the world famous view of the Houses of Parliament', is seeking to build an unwanted 70-foot pier at Marble Hill which would spoil the famous view from Richmond Hill. If Heritage continues to behave in this cavalier manner, it will continue to be under attack, and deserved- ly so.
Grenville Jones
Friends of Marble Hill and Orleans, 20 Montpelier Row, Twickenham, Middlesex
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